Security Agents Foil Illegal Nuclear Material Deal
Authorities in Georgia have arrested three Chinese nationals accused of trying to purchase two kilograms of uranium on the black market. The country’s State Security Service said the suspects were detained during an undercover operation in Tbilisi as they negotiated a deal worth approximately $400,000. The uranium was seized, and investigators confirmed that it posed significant radiation risks.
Alleged Plan to Move Material Through Russia
Officials reported that the suspects intended to smuggle the uranium from Georgia to China via Russian territory. One of the men had entered Georgia illegally, while the others are believed to have coordinated logistics and financing from abroad. Searches conducted in apartments across Tbilisi and Batumi uncovered additional evidence tied to the attempted transaction.
Criminal Charges and Broader Security Concerns
The detainees face prosecution under Georgia’s laws governing the illicit handling of radioactive substances, which carry sentences of up to ten years in prison. Authorities have emphasized that the case highlights ongoing risks posed by nuclear smuggling networks operating in the region, despite years of international efforts to prevent the trafficking of dangerous materials.
